Survey reveals Chinese attitudes to acceptable behavior in online group chats

BEIJING - A recent survey has revealed Chinese attitudes to what is and what is not acceptable behavior in social media group chats.

In the survey, 36 percent of people complained about pornography in such groups, while 24.6 percent expressed dislike of dirty talk. However, half the respondents said that if they saw such content they would simply quit the groups in question. Less than one-third --31 percent-- said they would go so far as to inform group administrators.

The survey polled 1,978 users of China's most popular messaging app, WeChat, and revealed that people in group chats were most annoyed by advertisements, fraudulent information and rumors, according to a China Youth Daily report Thursday.

The Cyberspace Administration of China last week issued a regulation requiring online group administrators to manage their groups properly.

The regulation said administrators should regulate the conduct of group members and information posted in groups in accordance with the law, user agreements and conventions.

A total of 59.7 percent of people surveyed said enhanced regulation of obscene, pornographic and violent online content was needed, and 44.7 percent said relevant law and regulations needed to be improved.

Overall a total of more than 85 percent said they supported stronger supervision or closure of groups that spread illegal information.